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2017 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid

Becoming a dad to four kind of forces you embrace the concept of the minivan, which I why I have always been the perfect candidate to write about the minivans we see here at the Bobit offices.

While many follow the same formula in terms of basic design elements, some take the opportunity of an incoming model year to add more than just a new headliner or softer seats, which is what Chrysler did with 2017 Pacifica.

The 2017 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid wraps the look, feel and fuel consumption of the near future into a well-designed and easily maneuverable seven-seater. The newest model of the Pacifica minivan offers a comfortable ride and less wear on your wallet with the 3.6-liter V-6 eHybrid engine – offering 84 mpg electric equivalent with the combo of the hybrid electric and gasoline engines, and 32 mpg when relying on gas alone. Either way, you are saving more than just a dollar or two on gas. The vehicle also came with the appropriate charging cables, making it easy to charge the battery overnight.

The driver’s seat has a roomier feel from past models, as if you have more head and leg room to stretch when you’re in the captain’s chair. And the dash and infotainment center have a more-modern look and allow for easy reach when trying to get your iPod to play your daughter’s favorite song.

Photo by Vince Taroc.

The rear of the van also gives everyone space, especially for siblings who each need their personal space. Our model had seatback video screens with apps loaded onto them that even kept my 18-year-old busy on a slow-moving drive to Los Angeles one day.

The Platinum model also offers the Advanced SafetyTec Group of driver assistance features. While I did not test out all the included safety tech, among those that should be mentioned are the available full-surround camera views, blind spot monitoring, ParkSense Rear Park Assist with stop capability, and Parallel and Perpendicular Park Assist.

And in moments when your attention is divided between the road and a possible sibling scuffle in the back, the Forward Collision Warning with Active Braking keeps everyone in and around the vehicle that much safer.

Touted as “America’s First Hybrid Minivan,” the 2017 Pacifica Hybrid gives those weary of stepping into an all-electric vehicle a stepping stone in the right direction. The hybrid-gasoline combo, as well as the flowing interior, available entertainment upgrades, advanced safety features, and possible federal tax credits, gave me more of a reason to embrace the idea that I am now a minivan dad.

Driving Notes

The fifth-generation 2019 Forester is better by nearly every metric. It is quieter, larger, and safer. It has increased horsepower, greater fuel efficiency, and is more technologically advanced than the fourth-generation model it replaced.

What better way to showcase the cat-like reflexes of Jaguar's 2019 I-Pace than to allow a group of automotive industry professionals to guide the battery-electric crossover through an autocross course, then test it on the narrow, residential streets surrounding the Santa Monica Airport.

The 2018-MY Leaf brings a host of new technological upgrades and sports a redesigned look. The new model year not only brings a lower entry price point but also offers the most range out of all sub-$30,000 electric cars.

One of the biggest selling points of the 2017 Hyundai Ioniq hybrid is its fuel efficiency. Touted as the most fuel-efficient hybrid vehicle in America, the base Blue model boasts fuel efficiency of 58 mpg combined.

Hyundai brings a strong competitor to the battery EV segment with its new Ioniq Electric sedan. On a full charge, it gets 124 miles MPGe and is one of the larger electric vehicles at 176 inches in length.

Many companies have implemented fleet sustainability programs to achieve self-imposed reductions in CO2 and GHG emissions. However, the one segment that is sometimes the least compliant with corporate sustainability goals is the executive fleet. It is important for management to lead by example when initiating a fleet sustainability program to generate corporate-wide acceptance. The 2016 BMW X5 xDrive40e plug-in hybrid provides management with the ability to do so.

The 2016 Mirai arrives as the first hydrogen-powered vehicle offered for sale in the U.S. market. Toyota's gambit is a bold one, especially considering the fact that fueling infrastructure remains in its infancy.

Okay, I’ll admit it. I suffer from range anxiety; however, I found an antidote after driving the 2016 Chevrolet Volt. I spent four days driving the Volt in a variety of road conditions, primarily in the all-electric mode, and found that it met all my driving needs. When trips exceeded the battery capacity, the gasoline engine range extender kicked in seamlessly, which gave me another 350-plus miles of travel.

Alternative-fuel vehicles have come of age and a perfect example is the bi-fuel 2015 Chevrolet Impala that can run on either gasoline or compressed natural gas (CNG). If not told in advance, most everyday drivers behind the wheel of a bi-fuel Impala would not know they were driving a CNG-powered vehicle.